Find out more about studying our Open Foundation program

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Program handbook

Description

Open Foundation is a free pathway program offered at the University of Newcastle for people who do not have the qualifications required for direct entry into an undergraduate degree program.

Regardless of your background, you’ll develop the skills you need, not only to gain entry, but to find success at university and beyond.

You will receive a Certificate of Attainment from the University upon completing Open Foundation as evidence of the skills and knowledge you’ve gained from the program.

Completion will also guarantee you admission to over 40 degrees at the University of Newcastle.

Open Foundation is available to study in a variety of flexible delivery options to best balance your study with work, social and family commitments – full-time, part-time, on-campus and online.


Program learning outcomes

On successful completion of the program students will have:

  • Foundational competence in key academic skills in academic writing, research and communication skills.
  • Foundational awareness of salient knowledge across at least two academic content areas.
  • Foundational understanding of the requirements of academic integrity and ethical conduct.
  • Foundational ability to successfully engage with the university teaching and learning environment.

Details

Information correct as atMar 29, 2024 9:12 am
Program code40216
Locations and UAC codes
Mode of delivery
  • Face to Face
  • Online
Duration
  • Australian students - 0.5 years full-time or part-time equivalent.
Term typeSemesters
Relevant University rules and policies

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Admission information

Admission requirements

  1. be turning 17 years of age or more in the year they commence Open Foundation. Applicants turning 17 in the year of study require parental/guardian consent to proceed with enrolment;
  2. be an Australian citizen or have Australian permanent residency status; 
  3. be residing in Australia for the duration of the program;
  4. not have successfully completed another enabling program at the University of Newcastle; and
  5. meet any other admission criteria prescribed at the time of application.

Applicants who will are currently enrolled in High School below Year 12 or equivalent will require parental/guardian consent to proceed with their enrolment and must complete Open Foundation Extended (60 units). This excludes students who are seeking to enrol in a University enabling program and concurrently attending high school under an agreement between the University of Newcastle and the relevant high school.

Applicants currently studying their Higher School Certificate who are intending to enrol in Open Foundation Extended as an alternative to completing their Higher School Certificate must confirm agreement from their relevant high school.

Minimum English language proficiency requirements

Pathways programs, such as Open Foundation, require students to have a good level of written and spoken English. If you are from a culturally and/or linguistically diverse background, it is assumed that you have undertaken formal study in English prior to commencing.

English Language Academic Learning Support will be available to help you develop your English language skills including:

  • Academic reading and writing (including essays and reports)
  • Preparing for assignments and exams
  • Academic language (grammar/vocabulary/learning strategies and practices)

English Language Requirements

All Applicants must demonstrate that they meet the University’s English proficiency requirement. Further information regarding English language proficiency requirements can be found at the English Language Proficiency for Admission Policy here.


Credit transfer

A maximum of 30 units of credit may be awarded for previous completion of University of Newcastle enabling courses within the last four years. Visit the University's credit website for more information on applying for credit.


Academic requirements for program completion

Total units required

40 units

Program duration

0.5 years full-time or part-time equivalent up to 4 years maximum.

Program requirements

This program requires the successful completion of 40 units of courses chosen from the Course List (made up of 4 x 10 unit courses).

There are many courses to choose from, however they do vary depending on the location and delivery mode.

It is important to consider the undergraduate degree you’d like to study upon the completion of Open Foundation, as the courses you choose help to prepare you for that area of study. You should explore the Recommended Courses to see what is suggested for the programs you are interested in.

If you’re not sure what degree you’d like to study, choose courses that interest you and courses you think you’ll do well in.


Program planner

Current students program planner

Current students can plan their program using Program Planner.

Program Planner

Prospective student degree planner

If you're a prospective student considering studying this degree take a look at My Degree Planner to see what your study journey will look like.

Additional documents


Transition arrangements

2023 Revision:

From 2023 there are changes to the mathematics directed courses. For students who commenced the program prior to 2023, please refer to the 2023 Transition Arrangements in the Additional Documents section for more information.

2022 Revision:

From 2022 there are changes to the mathematics directed courses. For students who commenced the program prior to 2022, please refer to the 2022 Transition Arrangements in the Additional Documents section for more information.


Program structure

Students can plan their program using Program Planner. It is recommended students review the program handbook in conjunction with using Program Planner.

Courses that are currently unavailable are hidden by default. You can show them by adjusting the advanced course filters above, or clicking the 'show all' links below each section.

Course List

Complete 40 units from one or more study areas from the course list.

CodeTitleTerm / Location Units
EPABOR158Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies: Cultures and Histories
  • Semester 1 - 2024 (Callaghan)
  • Semester 1 - 2024 (Central Coast)
10 units
EPABOR258Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies: Contemporary Issues
  • Semester 2 - 2024 (Callaghan)
  • Semester 2 - 2024 (Central Coast)
10 units
EPARTS190Design DrawingNot currently offered10 units
EPARTS191Design in SocietyNot currently offered10 units
EPARTS192Graphic Design FundamentalsNot currently offered10 units
EPBIOL130Introduction to Biology
  • Semester 1 - 2024 (Callaghan)
  • Semester 1 - 2024 (Central Coast)
  • Semester 2 - 2024 (Callaghan)
  • Semester 2 - 2024 (Central Coast)
10 units
EPBIOL140Foundations of Conservation Science
  • Semester 1 - 2024 (Callaghan)
  • Semester 1 - 2024 (Online)
10 units
EPBIOL240Biodiversity and Conservation Management
  • Semester 2 - 2024 (Callaghan)
  • Semester 2 - 2024 (Online)
10 units
EPBIOL259Introductory Human Bioscience
  • Semester 1 - 2024 (Online)
  • Semester 2 - 2024 (Callaghan)
10 units
EPCHEM137Foundation Concepts for Chemistry
  • Semester 1 - 2024 (Callaghan)
  • Semester 1 - 2024 (Online)
  • Semester 2 - 2024 (Central Coast)
10 units
EPCHEM237Physical and Organic Chemistry
  • Semester 2 - 2024 (Callaghan)
  • Semester 2 - 2024 (Online)
10 units
EPEDUC101Foundations in Education: Theories and Theoretical Perspectives
  • Semester 1 - 2024 (Callaghan)
  • Semester 1 - 2024 (Central Coast)
  • Semester 1 - 2024 (Online)
10 units
EPEDUC201Foundations in Education: Contemporary Issues in Schooling
  • Semester 2 - 2024 (Callaghan)
  • Semester 2 - 2024 (Central Coast)
  • Semester 2 - 2024 (Online)
10 units
EPENGG101Engineering PhysicsNot currently offered10 units
EPHLTH170Science Essentials for Nursing and Midwifery
  • Semester 1 - 2024 (Callaghan)
  • Semester 1 - 2024 (Central Coast)
  • Semester 1 - 2024 (Online)
10 units
EPHLTH270Bioscience for Nursing and Midwifery
  • Semester 2 - 2024 (Callaghan)
  • Semester 2 - 2024 (Central Coast)
  • Semester 2 - 2024 (Online)
10 units
EPHUMA120Media and Communication Studies
  • Semester 1 - 2024 (Callaghan)
  • Semester 2 - 2024 (Callaghan)
  • Semester 2 - 2024 (Central Coast)
10 units
EPHUMA131Australian History to Federation
  • Semester 1 - 2024 (Callaghan)
  • Semester 1 - 2024 (Online)
10 units
EPHUMA135Research in Action
  • Semester 2 - 2024 (Online)
  • Enabling Summer 2024 (Online)
10 units
EPHUMA144Literature FoundationsNot currently offered10 units
EPHUMA147Law in Australia
  • Semester 1 - 2024 (Callaghan)
  • Semester 1 - 2024 (Central Coast)
  • Semester 1 - 2024 (Online)
10 units
EPHUMA149Language in Society
  • Semester 1 - 2024 (Callaghan)
  • Semester 1 - 2024 (Central Coast)
  • Semester 1 - 2024 (Online)
10 units
EPHUMA154Social Enquiry
  • Semester 1 - 2024 (Callaghan)
  • Semester 1 - 2024 (Central Coast)
10 units
EPHUMA160Screen and Cultural Studies
  • Semester 1 - 2024 (Central Coast)
  • Semester 2 - 2024 (Callaghan)
10 units
EPHUMA171Academic Literacies and Language Enhancement for Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Students
  • Semester 1 - 2024 (Callaghan)
  • Semester 2 - 2024 (Callaghan)
10 units
EPHUMA172Reading, Writing and Critical Thinking
  • Semester 1 - 2024 (Callaghan)
  • Semester 1 - 2024 (Central Coast)
  • Semester 1 - 2024 (Online)
  • Semester 2 - 2024 (Callaghan)
  • Semester 2 - 2024 (Central Coast)
  • Semester 2 - 2024 (Online)
10 units
EPHUMA173Creative Writing and Reading
  • Semester 1 - 2024 (Callaghan)
  • Semester 1 - 2024 (Online)
  • Semester 2 - 2024 (Callaghan)
10 units
EPHUMA231Australian History from Federation to Present
  • Semester 2 - 2024 (Callaghan)
  • Semester 2 - 2024 (Online)
10 units
EPHUMA247Law in Action
  • Semester 2 - 2024 (Callaghan)
  • Semester 2 - 2024 (Central Coast)
  • Semester 2 - 2024 (Online)
10 units
EPHUMA249Foundations of Linguistics
  • Semester 2 - 2024 (Callaghan)
  • Semester 2 - 2024 (Online)
10 units
EPHUMA254Social Insights
  • Semester 2 - 2024 (Callaghan)
  • Semester 2 - 2024 (Central Coast)
10 units
EPINFO150Information and Communication Technology
  • Semester 1 - 2024 (Callaghan)
  • Semester 1 - 2024 (Central Coast)
  • Semester 2 - 2024 (Callaghan)
10 units
EPMANC120Managing People in Organisations
  • Semester 1 - 2024 (Callaghan)
  • Semester 1 - 2024 (Central Coast)
10 units
EPMANC220Project Management
  • Semester 2 - 2024 (Callaghan)
  • Semester 2 - 2024 (Central Coast)
10 units
EPMATH109Fundamental Mathematics
  • Semester 1 - 2024 (Callaghan)
  • Semester 1 - 2024 (Central Coast)
  • Semester 1 - 2024 (Online)
  • Semester 2 - 2024 (Callaghan)
  • Semester 2 - 2024 (Central Coast)
  • Semester 2 - 2024 (Online)
  • Enabling Summer 2024 (Online)
10 units
EPMATH110Applied MathematicsNot currently offered10 units
EPMATH153Advanced Mathematics 1
  • Semester 1 - 2024 (Callaghan)
  • Semester 1 - 2024 (Online)
10 units
EPMATH209Intermediate Mathematics
  • Semester 1 - 2024 (Callaghan)
  • Semester 1 - 2024 (Central Coast)
  • Semester 2 - 2024 (Callaghan)
10 units
EPMATH235Statistics
  • Semester 1 - 2024 (Callaghan)
  • Semester 1 - 2024 (Central Coast)
  • Semester 1 - 2024 (Online)
  • Semester 2 - 2024 (Callaghan)
  • Semester 2 - 2024 (Central Coast)
  • Semester 2 - 2024 (Online)
10 units
EPMATH253Advanced Mathematics 2
  • Semester 2 - 2024 (Callaghan)
  • Semester 2 - 2024 (Online)
10 units
EPPHYS152Physics Essentials
  • Semester 1 - 2024 (Callaghan)
  • Semester 1 - 2024 (Central Coast)
  • Semester 2 - 2024 (Callaghan)
10 units
EPPHYS252Modern Physics
  • Semester 1 - 2024 (Callaghan)
  • Semester 2 - 2024 (Callaghan)
10 units
EPSCIE140Psychology and Human Behaviour in Everyday Life
  • Semester 1 - 2024 (Central Coast)
  • Semester 1 - 2024 (Online)
  • Semester 2 - 2024 (Callaghan)
10 units

Additional information

Our specialist student support team provide a range of face-to-face and online academic advice, career advice, counselling, English language support and library help. In addition, in-depth support is available around key subject areas including mathematics, science and health science, academic writing and study skills and Peer Assisted Study Sessions (PASS).

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students can draw on a range of programs and social activities through the Wollotuka Institute; with academic advice and support being provided by the Indigenous Enabling Academic Advisor and the Indigenous Enabling Learning Advisor.


Additional support

AccessAbility provides advice and reasonable adjustments to Students with a medical or health condition or disability. If you require adjustments to undertake your program, contact the Student Support Advisors - AccessAbility before semester or early in the semester.  They will work with the Centre to ensure that this happens in a timely manner.

Please note: All students must fulfil the inherent requirements of the programs and courses they are undertaking. While reasonable adjustments can be made, these adjustments cannot compromise academic integrity. It is the student's responsibility to check all the requirements of courses and consider the effects of any medical condition or disability on their ability to complete course requirements. More information is available online.

Open Foundation

UAC Code , Program Code 40216

Selection rank
Duration (FT)(PT)
Next start date

CRICOS Code , Program Code 40216

Indicative fee1
Duration (FT)
Next start date
Select your study options
Student type
Degree duration
Study location
Admission info

Selection rank

Duration (FT)(PT)

Next start date

UAC Code

Program Code 40216

This criteria is based on a full-time domestic student attending Callaghan campus. Please select your criteria to personalise your study options and your circumstances.

Apply via UAC

Indicative fee1

Duration (FT)

Next start date

English proficiency requirements IELTS overall minimum -
IELTS section minimum -

CRICOS Code

Program Code 40216

This criteria is based on a full-time international student attending Callaghan campus. Please select your criteria to personalise your study options and your circumstances.

Apply now